Power transmission mechanism



July 16, 1940. s. BUDLONG 2,203,153

7 POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM .Filed June 9, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 519726022 July 16, 1940.

s. BUDLONG 2,208,153

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed June 9, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

116, 1940. S.BUDLONG 2,208,153

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM a Filed June 9, 1937 e Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

5mm 23m0@,

July 16, 1940, BUDLQNG 2,2085153 POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Fiied June '9, 1957 e sheets sheet 4 July 16, 1940. s. BUDLONG POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed June 9, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet.- 5

July"16, 1940. s. BUDLONG I 2,203,153

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Fila June 9, 1937 e Sheets- Sheet e .amw uaw Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,208,153 POWER TRANSMISSION. MECHANISM Simeon Budlong, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Centrimatic Transmission 00., a corporation of Illinois Application June 9,1937, Serial No. 147,188

' 26 Claims.

The invention relates generally to variable speed power transmission mechanisms and'more particularly to such transmissions which provide for automatic variation of the power transmis-' sion ratio.

Transmissions of this character find one wide field of utility in the power train of motor vehicles, in which use the requirements as to simplicity of operation, rapid and continuous acceleration capabilities, ruggedness and economy of construction, as well as smoothness, dependability and flexibility of performance are unusually exacting. With this situation in mind, an important object of the invention is to provide a new and improved transmission of this character wherein both speed and load conditions exerclse an interrelated controlling action in governing the automatic variation of the transmis sion ratio.

Another object is to provide such a new and improved automatically variable transmission associated with an alternately operablemanually selective transmissionan'd having in combination therewith interrelated engine-speed and load responsive control means having the dual function of governing the transmission ratio in said automatic transmission and controlling the clutch operation when the manually selective transmission is utilized.

Another object is to provide such an automatically variable transmission wherein load, the distance travelled by the vehicle from a stopped position, as well as speed and acceleration conditions cooperate to govern the automatic functioning of the ratio-changing mechanism.

Another object of the inventionlis to provide a new, improved and simplified automatic transmission for automobiles wherein three transmission ratios areautomatically operable in sue cession with the shift to high speed or direct drive controlled primarily in response .to torque conditions.

Another object is to provide an automatic transmission for automobiles wherein a shift from one ratio to another is automatically eifected during or at the end of a predetermined maximum travel of the vehicle in the lower ratio drive.

A further object is to provide an autom'atic transmission having a torque controlled shift into high, combined with a relatively low ratio starting gear which is automatically superseded, without appreciable torque drop; by an inter mediate ratio accelerating gear after a predetermined travel or the vehicle.

wherein the two shifts, from automatic low to automatic second and from automaticsecond to high, are effected while continuously applying driving power to the driven shaft, whereby to 16 render the mechanism particularly efllcient and adaptable to .automotive requirements.

Another object .is to provide a new and improved three-speed automatic transmission wherein tunctioningot the intermediate gearing go is assured, whereby to avoid the usual objectionable tendency of such devices to skip the intermediate ratio.

- Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in :5 connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a modified or composite longitudinal sectional view of a transmission embodying the features of the invention in its preferred em- 30 bodiment. the parts being illustrated with the gearing in neutral and the clutches in their closed positions assumed when the engine is stopped.

Figure2 is a true sectional view taken along as the line 2-2 of Fig. 4, with the gearing conditioned for automatic operation, and with the low speed clutch driving theoutput shaft through the auto-second" drive, and with the high speed clutch open.

' Fig. 3 is a plan view of the transmission shown in Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating a part of the clutch mechanism in section and embodying a diegrammatic illustration of the clutch control mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary sec tional views taken along the lines 5-5 and 8-t-l respectively of Figs. 1 and 2. l

Fig. 7 is a tragmental view of a portion otthe clutch control mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a Iragmental sectional view illustrating the torque responsive control of the high speed clutch while in its open clutch position. 35

torque responsive control of the high speed clutch, taken along the line 8a--8a of Fig.9. a

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 with the parts in their closed clutch position.

Fig. 9a is an enlarged view of a portion, of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmental view showing the torque responsive control means of the low speed clutch with the clutch in its open position.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the gearing mechanism of the device, with the parts engaged to effect drive in auto-second" ratio.

Fig. 110. is a fragmental portion of Fig. 11 showing the parts of the synchronizer in their released positions.

Whilethe invention is susceptible of embodi-' merit in many different forms, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail two such embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered "as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments shown. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

THE Mechanism-In GENERAL In the embodiments chosen for illustration herein, the invention is embodied in an automatic transmission wherein an automatically controlled multi-speed clutch mechanism It) and a manu-. ally controllable selective speed-change gearing mechanism H are interposed in power transmitting relation between a driving or engine crankshaft I2 and a coaxial driven shaft l3, which shaft I3 is, in the complete vehicle, connected in driving relation to the differential reduction gearing of the rear axle assembly.

The construction, arrangement and relationship of the clutch mechanism l0 and the gearing mechanism H are such that the vehicle may be driven in the conventional manner through manual selection of the gear ratio, or may at the will of the driver, be operated to obtain automatic variation through three successive graduated gear ratios.

THE Morm srrzan CLn'rcH MECHANISM The clutch mechanism [0, as herein illustrated, is associated with a fly wheel l5 whichis bolted to the driving shaft 42, the clutch comprising a low speed clutch l6 and a high speed clutch l1 adapted for successive driving engagement. As shown in Fig. l, the driven member of the high speed clutch l'l comprises a friction disk ll splined on a shaft 20 coaxial with the driving shaft. and adapted for engagement on its opposite side surfaces with the fly wheel and a disk-like driving member H which rotates with the fly wheel and is shiftable longitudinally to engage the clutch [1. Similarly, the driven memberof the low speed clutch comprises a friction disk It splined on a concentric sleeve 2| rearwardly of the side of the driving member l1", and engageable on its rear face by a low-speed clutch driving member I6" which rotates with the' fly wheel and is shiftable longitudinally to effect engagement of the clutch l6.

To serve as a backing means to engage the other or forward face of the friction disk iii", a disk-like backing plate I8 is provided, the disk l8 having an integral axial sleeve I8 thereon at its inner edge whereby it is connected to the I 2,208,158 Fig. 8a is a fragmental sectional view of the pressure plate Il" in axially spaced relation. As shown in Fig. 1, the sleeve l8 abuts the inner border portion of the plate 1'!" and is held in fixed relation thereto by a plurality of rivets l8" passing through the sleeve wall and the plate :7". Thus the plates 1" and i8" constitute a unitary assembly through which clutch closing pressure may be applied through the clutch Hi to the high speed clutch H.

In supporting the driving elements of the low and high speed clutches on the fiy wheel, the several elements are preferably provided with supporting bearings spaced axially of the assembly, and to this end a supporting plate 22, bolted to the fly wheel i5, extends radially inwardly into the space between the plates IT" and. M3 to support and center these two plates through ball bearings 23. The supporting plate 22 is fixed in position on the fly wheel I5 by a plurality of bolts 24 which also secure a clutch housing 25 in place to enclose the low speed clutch l6. Another int of support for the clutch driving elements is preferably provided on the clutch housing 25, and to this end the housing 25 has, at its inner periphery, an integral axialsleeve 26 which pro jects inwardly or forwardly and carries a ball bearing 27. The ball bearing 21 has its inner race 21'. threaded and locked onto the sleeve 23,

' while its outer race 21" is clamped between opposed guard flanges 28' of a carrier plate 28. On the carrier plate 28 there is provided an annular bearing surface 28" which is slidably engaged by the inner peripheral surface 'of the pressure plate l6" so as to radially support the pressure plate 56" while permitting the axial shifting required to engage or disengage the clutches.

With the clutch elements assembled in this manner, any dirt or grit between the various disks and plates is thrown outwardly so as to avoid choking of the clutch assembly, and such dirt is discharged from the high speed clutch through radial ventilating slots 23 in the fly wheel (Figs. 1 to 3), while it is discharged from the low speed clutch through peripheral openings 29" in the housing 25 as shown in Fig. 2.

Upon the carrier plate 28 outwardly of the shoulder 23", a plurality of expansive coil springs 3i are mounted at peripherally spaced points within individual cup-like retainers 32. The spring housings or retainers 32 project forwardly through suitable openings in the carrier plate 28 and have flanges 32' thereon to prevent rearward withdrawal of the retainers. At their other or rear ends the retainers have inturned flanges 32" against which the rear ends of the springs 3| bear. It will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2 that the spring retainers 32 project rearwardly outside of the clutch housing 25 through openings 33 in the housing 25. At their forward ends the springs 3| are seated in confining recesses 34 in the pressure plate I6" so as to apply yielding clutch closing force thereto.

To oppose the springs 3| and provide for openingof the clutches, a plurality of radially positioned clutch release levers 35 are provided. The levers 35 are pivoted intermediate their ends on lugs 33 which project from the axially fixed carrier plate 28 and extend through the relatively large openings 33 in the clutch housing 25. At their outer ends the levers 35 are pivoted to links 31 which extend forwardly through the openings 33 and are pivoted at their forward ends to lugs 38 projecting longitudinally from the pressure plate l6". As shown in Fig. 1, the lugs 38 extend through peripheral notches 38 in the carrier plate 28 so that the parts are held in fixed rotative relation to the carrier 28 at all times. At their inner ends the levers engage one race of a release bearing 39 which may be shifted forwardly to rock the levers 35 and withdraw the pressure plate l6". Actuation of the release bearing 39 is effected by an arm 40' carried by a transverse roclgshaft 40 which is mounted in av speed clutches to be opened successively during such withdrawal of the pressure plate. This means preferably comprises a plurality of spring. mechanisms 42 located at peripherally spaced points about the edge of the plate 22 and acting between the plate 22 and the plate assembly li-i8 to urge the plate H to its clutch opening or releasing position.

In the present instance these spring mechanisms 42, in exerting theirclutch opening action upon the high speed clutch, make use of a torque responsive control means which operates to govern the engagement of the high speed clutch,

and hence this torque responsive means will now be described as a basis for subsequent elaboration on the controlling function and operation of the spring mechanisms.

This torque responsive control means for the A high speed clutch I1 is bat illustrated in Figs.

1, 8, 8a, 9 and 9a, and it has as its object the prevention of the engagement of the high speed clutch during the'existence of high torque condi-' tions in the drive path, or in other words, the prevention of the engagement of the high speed clutch when engine conditions are such as to render the assumption of the load ineflicient to direct drive. In accordance with the present invention this torque means is located relatively close to the axis of the clutch assembly so that the torque effective in the shafts of the mechanism is applied at substantially its maximum effectiveness or value to the torque responsive means. By providing for the application of a high degree of torque to the high speed clutch control means, the relative sensitivity of the controlling operation thereof is rendered inherently suitable at all times to .the widely varying requirements of automotive use.

For example, when accelerating an automobile in a lower speed gearing, it is desirable to retain this lower speed gearing in operation so long as the vehicle speed is relatively low, and where, during low speed operation, the applied torque level in the control means is maintained at several times the operational threshold of said control means, this retention of the low ratio drive is assured despite relatively wide variations in the applied torque which may occur due to variations of accelerator positioning. As a resuit, the driver may respond to tralfic requirements during low speed acceleration without fear of causing a shift to high, which would at that time be undesirable. Actually, at low speeds, the present device is indifferent to, slight torque drops, and requires substantially a full reaction or release of the accelerator to cause a shift into highgear at such low speeds. When, however, the speed in the lower gear is increased, the extent of the reaction necessary to cause a shift into high decreases correspondingly, with the result that the shift-control at such high speeds is highly sensitive or critical, and, in fact, is such that the shift may, at high speeds, take place without reaction" of the accelerator.

In attaining this discriminatory automatic controlling action of the shift to high, the torque means of the present embodiment is located between the supporting plate 22 and the sleeve I8, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and it includes the bearing balls 23, thus rendering the torque means substantially friction free. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9, the inner rear corner of the supporting plate 22 has an inwardly and rearwardly facing rabbetted grove 43 therein, while the outer face of the sleeve i8, adjacent to the plate l8, has an outwardly and forwardly facing rabbetted groove 44 (Fig. 8a) formed therein in opposed relation to the groove 43, and it is between these two opposed grooves 43 and 44 that the ball bearings 23 areconfined. As indicated in Fig. 8a, the inwardly facing surface of the groove 43 and the opposed outwardly facing surface of the groove 44 are in the form of true annular surfaces so that the engagement of the balls 23 therewith serves to support and centerthe assembly |1--id.

The other or longitudinally opposed faces of the grooves 43 and 44 are, in the present case, utilized as parts of the torque responsive control means for the high speed clutch i1, and as shown in Figs. 8, 8a, and 9, are formed with opposed, variably curved or inclined cam faces 45 and 46 respectively, which cooperate with the interposed ball bearings 23 to open the high speed clutch i'l when the assembly ll"--I8 is rotated slightly in a reverse direction relatively to the driving element 22, or to maintain the vanced a corresponding amount. as will hereinafter be more fully explained, the spring mechanisms 42 accomplish their clutch opening action by applying a'resilient force between the plate 22 and the assembly |'|"i8 tending to rotate said assembly in a reverse direction relativelyto the driving plate 22.

As shown in Fig. 8, the balls 23 are held in uniform annularly spaced relation by a spacer ring 41, and the cam surfaces 45 (and 46) are similarly ,spaced so that each ball 23 takes its proportionate load, it being noted that the entire driving force between the plate 22 and the clutch driving plate I1" is transmitted through the balls 23 and the cooperating cam faces 45 and 46. Hence it is evident that the drag or torque resistance effective between the sloping cam faces 45 and 46 will develop a component of force tending to urge -the clutch driving assembly ll"i8 rearwardly or in a clutch opening di rection (to the right in Figs. 8, 8a, 9 and 9a) in opposition to the resilient clutch-closing force of the springs 3! which is exerted forwardlyas in dicated by the arrow 3i in Figs. 8 and 9.

clutch open until the assembly i'l"i8 is ad-' clutch opening component of force, will. of course,

- 'tendto maintain the clutch ii in its open posiproportion of this clutch opening: component served.

the clutch parts progress through their clutch closing cycle, or opening cycle. I

By thus providing for graduated torque responsiveness, the sensitivity of control of the high speed clutch is increased, and the efliciency of its power transmission is increased, and to attain this result the cam surfaces 45 and 86 are so formed that when the clutch "is open, as in Fig. 8, the balls 23 contact portions A of the cam faces which are positioned at a relatively slight angle to the plane of rotation of the members, with the result that the driving force acting between the cams has a relatively large component acting to resist closing movement of the clutch from its fully open position. I

From its low angle portion A, each cam face increases gradually in angle or degree of slope to its maximum angle at point B (Fig. 9a). When the clutch fill is completely closed, the ball 23 contacts the cam surface 45 along its high degree portion as determined by wear conditions in the clutch. If the ball finally comes to rest at point C, it will be evident that the component of force resisting closing of the clutch, or tending to open the clutch, is materially reduced, the reduction being, of course, proportioned with relation to the strength of the clutch closing springs 3! so that the cams at normal loads are ineffective and in fact unable to completely open the clutch ll. Thus substantially the full normally obtainable load capacity in the clutch H is premounting pin M which is fixed non-rotatably in and projects rearwardly from the plate 22 within one of the openings. 29' (Fig. 2) of the clutch housing. On the mounting pin 48, between the spring 41 and the plate 22, a disk 49 is rotatably mounted, and to the end of an integral arm 56 projecting radially from the disk 49, the other or outer end of the spring 41 is connected by means of a pin 5!.

Thus the spring 41 tends to. rotate the disk 19 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 7) and in such rotation a plurality of teeth '39 formed on the edge of the disk 49 engage teeth 39" on the edge of the plate I8 to cause a relative reverse or clutch releasing movement of the plate 58.

'Such clutch releasing reverse rotation of the in the plates I1" and l8,'the engagement of these plates with the shoulders of the spacer studs 52 serving to properly space the two plates and effectually transmit clutch closing forces from the plate It to the high speed clutch closing or driving plate H". In attaining this limiting function in respect to the clutch opening action of the springs 41, the slots 53 are so proportioned and located that the ends of the slots act as abutments against which the spacer studs bear when the high speed clutch is fully open.

It will be evident that in order for the high speed clutch I? to be fully closed, the plate assembly ll"--i8 must advance relative to the plate 22 through an angular distance equal to the angular difference between the relative positions of Figs. 8 and 9, and in this movement the arm 50 of each spring return device 62 is rocked in a clockwise direction to the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 7, in which position it extends radiallyoutwardly from its pivotal center.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided which is operable to modify the clutch controlling action of the torque responsive. mechanism 4523- l6 in accordance with engine speed. To this end the arm 50 of each spring return device 42 has a weight 54 formed thereon adjacent to its outer end so that the increase in centrifugal force as the engine speed increases tends to shift the weight to its outer radial position shown in dotted outline in 8 of the clutch I i by the springs 3!, even though the torque acting on the torque responsive means exceeds a value which at lower speeds would prevent closure of the clutch. Conversely, however, the weights 54 do not become active at low speeds, and hence'the springs 41 act to increase the efiectiveness of the torque means in preventing engagement of the high speed clutch at low engine speeds. I v

The present invention also provides new and improved means operable to control the engaging movement of the low speed clutch It so as to obtain smooth engagement thereof and avoid jumpy starting of the vehicle. This means is torque responsive in character and, as herein shown, comprises a plurality of pressure bars or links 55 interposed between the backing plate 48 and the pressure plate 46' of the low speed 'clutch. These pressure links 55 constitute the sole power transmitting or driving connection whereby the pressure plate I5 is driven.

As shown in Fig. 10, each pressure link 55 has its opposite ends rounded and set in opposed sockets 56 in the opposed faces of the plates l8 and I6", and the links being located radially outwardly of the intermediate friction disk Hi. In Fig. 10the parts are Shown in full lines in their open clutch'positions while the closed clutch relation of the pressure link is indicated in dotted outline. This change of rotative position takes place as an incident to the closure of'the clutch I6, and is permitted by the rotatable mounting of the supporting plate 28 and the associated clutch actuating levers 35, and it should be noted that the fully open position of the clutch I6 is determined and limited by suitable stop means, such as by abutment of the lugs 38 with the sides of the openings 33' in the housing 25 (Fig. 1).

It will be evident that as the closing movement of the pressure plate I6" progresses (under the force applied by the springs .3l as indicated at 57 in Fig. 10) there will, upon first engagement with the friction disk l6, be a drag or torque resistance applied to the pressure plate IS in the direction indicated by the arrow 58. This 60 and 60' of the gear box.

drag or torque resistance tends to produce relative reverse rotation of the pressure plate l6", and because of the angular positioning of the links 55, such a reverse tendency acts to retard the rate of engaging movement in direct proportion to the torque resistance applied. Thus a sudden or fast engaging movement tending to produce a similarly sudden or jerky start, produces a counter-acting force by means of the links 55 whereby the jumpy starting is eliminated.

To open or disengage the clutches, rocking movement may be imparted to the shaft selectively by means such as a conventional foot pedal 59 fixed to the shaft 40, or by automatic means such as a vacuum controlled unit 59', the structure and operation of which will hereinafter be described in detail. Such opening of the clutches may be effected at any engine speed. the clutch I6 being positively opened by withdrawal of the pressure plate l6" by means of the clutch levers 85. In the high speed clutch II, the spring devices 42 cause opening of the clutch when the low speed clutch I6 is opened at low speeds, while at high speeds the inherent dragv through the release arms 40', the release bearing 39, the arms 35, the plate 16'', the pressure links 55 and to the plate l8, causes a suflicient drag or retarding force to be applied to the plate l8 (Figs. 8 and 9) to effect prompt opening of the high speed clutch when the clutch release levers 40 are actuated.

Tm; SPEED-CHANGE GRARING In the form herein illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10, it is by manipulation of the speed change gearing N that the operator conditicnslthe mechanism selectively for automatic operation, or for operation in the conventional manner through a series of manual selections of successive gear ratios. Hence the gearing for both automatic and conventional operation is, in this case. embodied in .a common or single gear box 6| and wherever possible gears or other elements are arrangedto serve as elements of both the automatic and. conventional power transmission paths.

The manually selected ratios for conoentional operation Thus, the shaft 20 and the concentric sleeve 2 I, serving as power transmission members from the high and low speed clutches respectively, extend from the ,bell housing ll through the adjacent end wall 60 of the gear box 6| in coaxial relation to the driven shaft l3 which projects through the other end wall 60 of the gear box. Bearings 62 and 63 in the walls 68 and 60' support the sleeve 25 and the shaft l3 respectively, and the inner or left hand end of the shaft I3 is rotatably supported by a sleeve bearing 64 (Fig. 1) within the inner end of the shaft 20.

Within the gear box 6| and immediately adjacent to the bearing 62, the sleeve 21 has an integrally formed gear 65 meshing with a relatively larger gear 66 formed on one end of a cluster-gear shaft or sleeve 6'! which serves as a counter-shaft. The cluster-gear sleeve is rotatably supported on a bearing shaft 68 which is supported at its opposite ends-in the end walls In attaining the several manually selected gear ratios (other than the highor direct drive) the drive is taken from the counter-shaft 61, which for this purpose has,

To provide a manually selected non-over-running low speed forward driving gearing from the counter-shaft 61 to the driven shaft IS, a gear 12 is splined on the shaft l3 for sliding movement from an ineffective or neutral position 5 (shown in Fig. 1) forwardly into engagement witlrthe gear 10 of the counter-shaft.

A manually selected reverse drive is obtained by shifting the gear 12 in the opposite or rearward direction into engagement with a back gear 10 13 which runs in constant mesh with the smaller gear H of the counter-shaft.

A manually selected non-over-running intermediate speed forward drive is established from the gear 69 through a gear I4, constantly meshed 5 with the gear 69, and normally running freely on the shaft 13 in fixed longitudinal relation thereto. To connect the gear M .to the shaft l3, and thus establish the desired drive a clutch member 15' is slidably splined on the shaft l3 between the 20 gear 14 and the gear I06, and complemental clutch teeth 16 and 16' are provided on the adjacent ends of the clutch member 15 and the gear 14 respectively. I

To establish manually a high speed or direct 25 forward drive, the clutch-member 15 has similar clutch teeth H at its other end, adapted, when the member 15 is shifted forwardly or to the left (Fig. 1) from its neutral position, to engage complemental clutch teeth 11' formed in the end of 30 the .shaft 20. Thus the high speed drive is obtained from the high speed manually selected non-over-running reverse, low and intermediate drives are taken from the low speed clutch. When the gearing is manually 5 shifted by the usual shifting routine, terminating in a shift to direct drive, the high speed clutch l 1 engages promptlyand effectually, without perceptible modification by the torque means, this operation being inherent in the mechanism by 40 reason of the removal of all torque during the normal gear-shifting operations. hicle is rolling freely forward, with the engine idling or materially reduced in speed, and the power or torque is not applied through the clutch until it has been engaged. As a result the clutch engagement in high is normal in every respect.

clutch, while the Hence the ve- Manual selection of the desired gear ratio is,,

in the present instance, attained by direct manual actuation of the various elements of the gearing mechanism II by shiftable means such as. a conventional gear shift lever 80 (Figs. 2, 8 and 4), which also serves to condition the mechanism for automatic operation. The gear shift lever 80' has a universal mounting at 8| in the cover'82 of the gear box 6i, and by lateral movement of the lever in opposite directions, the lower end of the lever'may be selectively engaged with opposed laterally opening slots 83 and 84 formed in brackets 83' and 84' fixed on two slide rods 85 and66 which are slidably mounted in the walls 68 and 60' for movement parallel to the shaft l3. Through a fork 81, fixed on the rod 85 and engaging a grooved hub 88 on the gear 12, it will be evident that by appropriate actuation of the slide rod 85, the gearing may be set for either low or reverse drive to the driven shaft I3.

A similar fork 89 on the rod 86 engages a grooved outer sleeve 90 surrounding the clutch member 15, Fig. 1, and, the sleeve 90, being held in fixed axial relation to the member 15- by opposed annular flanges 8i and 9| embracing opposite faces of a central flange!!! (see Fig. 1) on the member 15, imparts shifting movement from the slide rod 86 to the clutch member 15 to obtaining this'resiilt the two lower ratio drives are tain selectively an intermediate speed or a high tomatically each time the vehicle is started and brought up to normal running speed; and in attaken from the low speed clutch while the high speed or direct driveis taken from the high speed clutch. In each instance the drive is preferably transmitted to the driven. shaft through the clutch member 15, which, for the automatic operation, is by actuation of'the gear shift lever 00 placed in its normal high speed position (of Fig. 2) with the clutch teeth IT. and If engaged.

To provide for the automatic low speed drive, comple'mental clutch teeth 93 -andilii (Fig. 1) are formed respectively on the hub 9% of the gear It and on the sleeve 00 in such a relation that they are engaged when the clutch member 75 is in its high speed or left hand position; and the flange 02 is formed to receive a plurality of roller type pawls 95 (Figs. 1 and 4) which act to provide an over-running connection between the sleeve at and the member 75.

Thus it will be evident that immediately upon engagement of the low speed clutch It the movement of thevehicle will be initiated through the relatively low ratio drive from the gear I59 of the counter-shaft to the gear Hi, through the dog clutch 93-93, the sleeve 90, and the roller pawls 05 to the clutch which is splined to the drivenshaft it. This drive path may be termed the automatic low ratio or auto-low" drive of the mechanism.

After the vehicle hasbeen started, the relatively low ratio drive from the counter-shaft gear 69 is superseded automatically, and without torque drop, by an accelerating or slightly higher gear ratio, which may be termed the automatic sec? 0nd gear or auto-second; and this change in.

the gear ratio is Preferably effected after a pre- I determined maximum travel of the vehicle. To obtain such an auto-second drive I have herein illustrated two alternative forms of mechanism combined with the mechanism thus far described. One such-form, shown in Figs. 1 to 10, has a second counter-shaft, while the other form, shown in Figs. 11 and 11a embodies the autosecond mechanism on the main counter-shaft of the gear box.

In providing the auto-second drive of Figs. 1 to 10, agear I00 is mounted in the gear box 6i (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) in constant mesh with the gear 65 of the low speed transmission sleeve 25, the gear I00 being fixed on a shaft I0! supported at its opposite ends on bearings I02 and I03 in the end walls of the gear box. Surrounding the shaft I 0| throughout a portion of its length is a concentric shaft or sleeve I05 carrying an integral gear I05 which is in constant mesh with the gear I06 formed on the inner end of the shaft 20. Thus, by connecting the shaft IM to the concentric sleeve I04, the output shaft I3 maybe driven. from the low speed clutch by an auto-second gear train comprising gears 65, I00, I05 and I06; and this gear train is proportioned to give a higher ratio than the drive from the counter-shaft 69 to gear 14 which comprises the auto-low drive.

Means is provided for connecting the two shafts crating means therefor, the operating means preferably being in the nature of a screw and nut deand meme nut I09 may be shifted longitudinally to engage or release the clutch means I08.

In order that the mechanism may be made of sumcient strength or capacity to take the load, while being of a compact construction, the clutch means W0 is preferably in the nature of a synchronizer clutch which in its initial engagement is. strictly frictional in action, while acting at the end of its engagement as a positive clutch. Forthe sake of clarity and in order to avoid confusion with the clutches it and it, the clutch means E00 will in many instances herein be termed the synchronizer. Thus, in the preferred form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the clutch means 508 comprises a clutch housing formed by an end wall M3 which is formed by an integral flange on the shaft 806 adjacent the wall and a concentric cylindrical side wall lid centered and Within the housing t a plurality of friction a disks I it are positioned adjacent to the end wall 953, the disks being splined alternately to the external splines M8 on the shaft I0! (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) and to internal splines M8" on the cylindrical side wallIM (Figs. 2 and 5), a pressure plate lit for engaging or closing the clutch being positioned at the other or left end of the disks E E8 in splined relation to the wall Ht. Be-

tween the plate its and the end of the sleeve shaft E00, there is preferably provided a pressure assembly comprising a pressure block I20 having a series of expansive coil springs iZI mounted in bores I22 therein and acting between the block 20 and the pressure plate H9.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the pressure plate H9 and the pressure block 620 are splined to the splines Ht" of the housing, and the pressure block rides on an annular bearing surface I20 on the shaft I0! so as to center and support the central portion of the housing assembly lit and thereby render the bearing I I5 effective to support the rearor adjacent end of the sleeve I05.

When the clutch disks H0 are fully engaged, the side wall or clutch housing H6 is driven with the shaft I05, and this rotation is transmitted to the sleeve I04 through inter-engaging lugs I25 and I26 (Figs. 1 and 6) on the wall I I4 and the flange I is'respectively.

The nut I09, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is positioned in the radial space between the shaft WI and the sleeve I05, with its inner face threaded to fit the screw threads H0. The outer face of the nut I09 is arrangedv to contact the inner face of the sleeve I 04 so that the relative rotational displacement or rotation of the sleeve F 8 2) than the gear I00, so that the nut I00 will be screwed toward its inactive or left hand position of Fig. l, and that after reaching this position, the relative rotation of the parts IM and I04 will tend to causea further left hand movement. Such further movement of the nut is blocked by the adjacent end face of ear I00,

and the inner face of the sleeve I04 in the left hand end zone then occupied by the nut is, therefore, formed as an annular bearing surface I21 (Fig. 2) which has merely a frictional engagement with the outer face of the nut I09. Preferably the nut I00 is provided with an expansive split ring I09 mounted in the grooved outer forward corner of the nut and pinned to the nut to,prevent relative rotation as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6. To the right of thesurface M1 the inner face of the sleeve I04 has longitudinal splines I28 which are engageable bycomplemental external splines on the nut I09 and the friction ring I09; the initial engagement of these splines, in a right hand or rearward movement of the nut, being facilitated by pointing the adjacent ends thereof as shown in Fig. 2..

high speed clutch being held open at this time by its torque responsive or other control means) gear also rotates gear I00, and while gears W0 and M5 are being thus rotated in the same direction, the rotation of the two is, however, at

different speeds, due to the proportional relation of the gear trains 65-I00 and 65-65--69-'I4 HEB-E05. This ratio of the two gear trains is such that during auto-low drive the gear I05 rotates slower than the gear I00, and hence the right hand threaded screw shaft I 0I shifts the nut I09 rearwardly, or in its clutch closing direction. Preferably the lead of the screw is such that, with a conventional rear axle gearing, the nut I09 is moved the length of the sleeve I04 in about 25 feet of forward travel of the vehicle. Thus the synchronizer I08 is gradually engaged to approach the relationship shown in Fig. 2 so that the auto-second gearing 65-I00I05--I06 invariably becomes effective to drive the shaft I3 after the vehicle has been brought up to an appropriate speed by the auto-low drive. The autolow drive is then ineffective by reason of the overrunning connection 95. It will be evident that this change in the drive takes place without a that by partially compressing the springs I2I,

the dislis- II8 will in many instances be engaged with suflicient force to pick up and carry the load in auto-second drive. The extent ofengaging .this angle about the screw shaft IOI.

mined by the load to be taken, and in many. instances the auto-second" drive will become effective at less than the predetermined maximum travel in auto-low."

As soon as the high speed clutch I1 engages so as to supersede the auto-second" drive, the two gears 65 and I06 are driven at the same speed, and due to the ratio between these two gears, the direction of relative rotation of the shafts IM and I04 is reversed, and by such reversed relative rotation the nut I09 is returned to its released or left hand position (Fig. 1), thereby opening or releasing the synchronizer I00 and conditioning the apparatus for another vehiclestarting operation. The relative reverse or reconditioning rotation of the shafts IN and I04 is preferably more rapid than the clutch-closing rotation thereof, the present embodiment having a propcrtioning ofthe various gears such that the nut is fully returned in substantially onehalf the vehicle travel required to engage the synchronizer.

To insure release of the synchronizer without undue wear or stress I-have herein provided a lost motion of about 1'70 degrees between the lugs I25 of the sleeve I 04 and the lugs I25 of the housing II 4, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the sleeve I04 may freely rotate the nut I09 through During this free rotation, the nut is freed from the pressure block I20 so as to release the synchronizer, and hence the housing II4 may thereafter rotate with the sleeve I04 independently of the shaft I M.

Automatic control In accordance with the present invention the clutches I0 and I1 are closed when the engine is ton I32 within the cylinder I30, a piston rod I33 extends through a suitable opening in the other end I30" of the cylinder to a connection with the end of a; lever I34fixed on the clutch release shaft 40. From the end I30 of the cylinder 9.

' vacuum'line I35 extends to the manifold I 36 beyond or inwardly of the throttle valve I31, the throttle valve I31 in the present instance being shown, for convenience, as being mounted in the manifold rather than in the carburetor. Thus, during low speed or idling operation of, the engine, the high vacuum or suction in the manifold l35 acts through the line I35 to exhaust the end I30 of the cylinder I30 so as to release or open the clutches I6 and I1.

High vacuum conditions may also exist during high speed operation of the engine under light load, and hence means is provided to prevent actuation of the vacuum unit and the consequent undesired opening of the clutch at high speeds.

This means preferably comprises a valve I40 interposed in the vacuum line I35 and operated in-response to a function of the engine speed, as well as in response to accelerator position; In the present instance the valve I40 is normally urged movement of the nut I00 therefore, detera to its closed position of Fig. 3 by gravity, or by 7 a spring MI, and is opened by a solenoid I42 so that its valve member I40 opens the line I when the solenoid is energized. In the open or right hand position of the valve member, the chamber end I30 is connected to the manifold and under high vacuum conditions the vacuum unit is actuated to open the clutch. If, however, the solenoid is. deenergized, the valve member I60 shifts its position to that of Fig. 3 to close the passage to the manifold, and through the passage I43 in the valve member, to open the end I30. of the cylinder to atmosphere. v

To provide a control circuit for the solenoid coil I42 one terminal of the battery I is grounded at I44, and a wire I44" extends to one contact of the ignition switch I05. From the other terminal of the ignition switch 55 a wire I45 extends to one terminal of a normally open spring type switch I 49, the function and mounting of which will be hereinafter described. From the other contact of the switch I45 8. wire I01 extends to one end of the solenoid coil. The other .end of the coil is connected by a wire I09 to the stationary contact of a switch 550, which has its movable contact mounted on the shiftable armature I5! of the conventional generator cut out unit I52 so that the switch I is opened when the armature is actuated dueto high speed operation of the generator. The cut-out unit is in other respects conventional in construction and operation. A wire I53 connects the movable contact of the switch I50 to ground so as to complete the solenoid control circuit. Preferably the cut-out mechanism is arranged to open the switch I50 and thereby disable the clutch release cylinder at an engine speed corresponding to a vehicle speed of 18 miles per hourin high gear, it being found that above this speed there should exist, under normal conditions, no reason for desiring automatic clutch release.

Preferably, the closed chamber I55 at the opposite end of the vacuum cylinder E30 is utilized to provide 'an air bank to cushion and control the return movement of the piston and prevent rapid clutch engagement during relatively low speed operationoi the engine. For this purpose, a one-way check valve I55 is provided to govern the passage of air through the wall W0 and permit rapid entry of air when the unit is actuated, while an "air bleed valve I51 is provided to govern the escape of air from the chamber I55. The valve I51 provides an outlet which may be varied by movement of the tapered valve member I58 in accordance with the positioning of the throttle I31. To this end a positioning link I59 connects an arm I90 on the throttle valve shaft with the outer end of the valve I58, so that the valve I50 is opened generally in proportionto the throttle opening. Thus fast clutch closure is permitted at high engine speeds, while a controlled or air-banked closure is provided at slow engine speeds.

The switch I 46, above described as being normally open, is mounted on the link I59 so as to be located in the path of an accelerator-actuated pull rod I59 which is connected with a. lost motion connection I59" to the pivot pin which connects the link I59 and the arm I60. Wherrthe accelerator pull rod I59 is in the idling position shown in Fig. 3, its end abuts and closes the switch I45. I

The switch I50 of the generator cut-out is, of course, closed when the engine is at rest, and hence the closure of the ignition switch I45 in starting the engine causes instantaneous openingi of the. vacuum cut-out valve I40. The vacuum unit I30 is, therefore, actuated in the starting of the engine to open the clutch I0, and the open position is maintained so long as the engine operates at idling speed. When the engine speed is increased by actuation of the accelerator and its pull rod I59, the switch I05 is immediately released and allowed to open, thereby causing immediate release of the vacuum unit, which, of

course, releases the clutch for engagement by the clutch springs 0|, the releasing movement of the vacuum unit being to some extent gov' erned by the engine speed and power due to the .banking action resulting from the position of the variable bleed valve I58.

To secure a supplemental manual control of the vacuum actuator, a shunt for the switch I50 may be provided as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. This circuit comprises a normally open push button switch IBI located in any preferred position, such as at the top of the gear shift lever 80, and connected by wires I52 and 53 to the wires I45 and I53. Thus, by depressing the switch ItI during high speed operation of the vehicle, the solenoid coil I42.may be energized and the vacuum line I35 connected to the manifold. This causes the clutch I0 to be opened, due to the actuation of the vacuum unit I30, and hence shiftingof the gears may be easily performed. Also, the switch HSI may be employed to obtain a free wheeling action.

Alternative auto-second construction In Figs. 11 and 11a of the drawings I have illustrated an alternative embodiment of the gearing II which cooperates with the clutch mechanism and control mechanism of the other embodiment to attain a corresponding functioning, while being constructed with but a single counter-shaft assembly. Thus a gear box 5 Ia is provided, generally similar to the gear box 6! of Fig. 1, with the concentric transmission shafts 20 and 2! projecting through the forward wall 50a thereof in a similar manner, and the driven shaft I3 similarly extending through the rear wall 60b. The shafts 20 and M carry similar gears and I05, and the gears along the shaft I3 are the same as in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Directly below and parallel to the shaft I3, is a counter shaft I10 supported on bearings HI and I12 in the front and rear walls 600. and 50b of the gear box, and the counter shaft is driven from the gear 65 of the low speed clutch by a gear I00 fixed to the shaft I10 and in constant mesh with the gear 55. Adjacent to the rear wall 50b, a cluster gear 61' is fixed to the shaft I10, providing gears 69, 10" and II serving the functions of the correspondingly designated gears of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

When the gearing is conditioned for automatic shifting as explained in connection with the other embodiment, engagement of the low speed clutch I6 causes drive to be transmitted to the shaft I3 through the auto-low" path'which comprises gears 55, I00, shaft I10, gears 69, 14, and clutch 909515 to the shaft I3. During such auto low drive, an alternative form of auto-second drive is gradually brought into play in a manner similar to that described in connection. with the I10 and is in constant mesh with the gear I06, 7

far

thereby to provide the auto-second drive path. As shown in Figs. 11 and 11a, the gear I05'is formed intermediate the ends of a relatively large sleeve I16, and the forward end of the sleeve I16 is supported by a bearing I11 mounted within the gear I00'-. The other end of the sleeve I18 is externally splined at I18 (Fig. 11a) and projects slidably into the forward end of a sleeve I19 which forms a portion of a housing for the gaged by endwise compression between the end wall I80 and a pressure plate I86 which surrounds and is splined to the sleeve I8I forwardly of the disks I85.

To produce the relative endwise approaching movement of the pressure plate I86 and the end wall I in the desired timed relation to the vehicle travel in auto-low, the relative rotational movement ofthe gear I00 and the gear 505' is utilized in-the general manner employed in the embodiment of Fig. 1,, but with this dif ference, however, that the embodimentof Figs; 11 and. 11a is constructed to effect an inherent economy of space which is notattained by said embodiment of Fig. 1. Thus the present embodiment preferably employs two screw andnut devices operable in sequence, the first to condition the mechanism for engagement of the synchronizer, and the second to effect the actual engagement of the clutch disks thereof.

These two screw. and nut devices are preferably disposed at opposite ends of the synchronizer I15, and while actuated by the same relative rotation of the gears 00 and 05, they must move in opposite directions toward each other to engage the synchronizer, and in opposite directions away from each other torelease the synchronizer.

' Sincethe present invention contemplates and provides for rapid conditioning of the synchronizer, followed by relatively slow: or gradual actuationduring actual engagement, one of the screw and nutdevices is constructed with a relatively great lead for conditioning the device, while the otherscrew and nut device has a gradual or smaller lead so as to act subsequently to effect. slow engagement of the synchronizer. Thus the conditioning screw. and nut device is herein shown as comprising a nut I90 surrounding and splined to the rear end of the sleeve I8I and having relatively high pitch left hand threads I9I on its outer-surface engaging corresponding threads formed in a recess I92 in the gear 69'. At its inner forward corner the nut 590 has a rabbetted groove E90 to provide clearance for an annular abutment flange I93 formed disks I8! is also a factor. The threads I9I, therefore, force the nut I90 forwardly at a rapid rate from the position of Fig. 110 to the position of Fig. 11. In this movement the nut I90 shifts the entire synchronizer housing until the forward end of the housing sleeve I19 abuts the gear I05 and the pressure plate I88 engages the adjacent end of the sleeve I18. In such engagement the plate I86 produces a slight engagement of the friction disks I85, which, however, is preferably insufficient to cause transmission of rotative movement by the disks.

After the conditioning of the synchronizer I15 by the forward shifting of the nut I90, the operative engagement of the friction .disks I8I is effected gradually by the other screw and nut device which, as herein ho is located forwardly of the synchronizer an omprises a synchronizer nut I95 having relatively small lead left hand.

threads I98 formed externally thereon and engaging .correspondlng threads I96 formed on the interior of the sleeve I18. In order that gradually increasing pressure may be applied to the pressure plate I88 as the nut I95 moves rearwardly, a spring assembly is provided between the nut I95 and the plate I88. To this end a spring retainer plate I 91 is interposed between the plate I88 and the nut I95, and a plurality of expansive coil springs I98 are housed and held in place in opposed bores I99 formed in the nut I95 and the retainer plate I91.

During the forward conditioning movement of the conditioning nut I90 and the synchronizer unit, the external splines of the forward end of the sleeve I8I" are engaged with internal splines 200 of the synchronizer nut I95, with the result that there is then a positive rotation transmitting connection from the gear 89 through the threads I9I, the nut I90 which is splined to the sleeve HM, and through the sleeve I8I and splines 200 to the synchronizer nut I95. Since the gear I05 is at this time rotating sldwer than gear 69 (both in the direction indicated) the pressure nut I95 is forced rearwardly to gradually apply more and more pressure to the friction disks I85, and thereby cause the synchronizer to become eiiec tive as a drive transmitter. Hence theauto second drive supersedes the auto low drive as described in connection with the embodiment of Fig. 1. There is, however, a distinction in the operation of the two embodiments, since in the form of Figs. '11 and 11a, there is, after the conditioning of the'synchronizer, but little idle or'ineifective movement of the .synchronizing nut I95. Thus the compression of the springs I98. starts almost immediately after the relative rotation of the advancing nut I95 is initiated, and hence, the functioning of the auto-second drive may startat any time thereafter, depending upon the spring loading required to pick up the load in auto-second.

Relative to the transmission of drive between the gear 69' and the threads I9I, it is noted that the nut I90 is, during such transmission, held against further forward movement by abutment of the sleeve I19 with the gear I05, and the.

threads I9I are of sufficient strength and of such a relatively great pitch as to take the driving force without excessive unit stress and without looking. .The end thrust involved in this action Fig. 11a, thereby quickly releasing the synchronizer I15. This rapid releasing movement is cushioned by the dash pot efi'ect of the oil trapped in the recess I92 and which must be discharged through a control port I92 formed in the gear In such releasing movement, the springs I98 expand and shift the spring retainer plate I9'i, the pressure plate I86, the friction disks I85, the housing I19 and the sleeve I8i to the rearward positions of Fig. 11a. The splines 209 are, however, still engaged with the nut I 95, so that after the nut I has reached its limit of rearward travel and rotation, the nut I is held or retarded to the slower speed of the gear 69', with the result that the faster moving internal threads I96 of the sleeve I16 withdraw the synchronizer nut I95 forwardly to its position of Fig. 11a. nut I 95 from the splines 20!] so that the nut I95 rotates with the sleeve IiBuntil the succeeding conditioning of thesynchronizer bynut I 99.

Operation When the engine is stopped and the vehicle is at .rest, the clutches I6 and i? are normally closed as illustrated in Fig. 1, and hence the driver may, by engaging any of the shiftable gears of the transmission/use the engine as a brake to prevent undesired movement of the vehicle. To start the engine, the ignition switch M5 is closed so as to open the cut-out valve Mid, and hence the manifold vacuum,,in the first rotation of the crank shaft by the starter, causes the vacuum unit 59' to open the clutches I6 and I'i. With the engine running at idling speed, the actuator 59' maintains this open clutch relationship, but immediately upon actuation of the accelerator to cause an increase of engine speed above idling, the opening of the switch I46 causes the valve 840 to close, so that the actuator 59' releases'its piston I32 for forward movement. This release of the clutch opening piston I32, of course, has no eifect so long as the'gearing mechanism is in theneutral relation of Fig. 1, so that the engine may be warmed up in the same manner as with conventionally constructed cars. In the event that 1 struction by any driver who is competent to drive conventional automobiles of today. Thus, the shifting of the gearing to automatic positioning, to reverse, to manual low or manual second, may be accomplished'in the conventional manner while the engine idles without depression of the clutch pedal, and to adriver familiar with conventional vacuum clutch devices, this is in accordance with his previous experience. Drivers who are unfamiliar with suchautomatic clutch release devices would, of course, depress the clutch pedal, and-this normal action of such drivers may take place without producing unexpected results which might lead the driver to question his ability to properly operate the vehicle.

If the driver desires to proceed in the auto- This forward movement releases the matic gear relationship, the gearing is shifted by the usual shift lever 89 to the conventional high or automatic position of Fig. 2. The engine speed is then increased substantially above idling so as to cause release of the piston I32, thereby permiting engaging movement of the low speed clutch I6 by the clutch springs 3i. The speed of such movement is controlled by the position of the banking valve I58 which permits increased engaging speed as the degree of throttle opening is increased. Hence a primary control ofthe rate of clutch engagement is obtained, and in addition, the torque responsive action of the pressure links 55 retards the closing movement of the low speed clutch in a manner which prevents jumpy starting of the vehicle.

Drive is then transmitted through the autolow drive path, and during such auto-low drive, the engaging means of the auto-second drive is operated in timed relation to the vehicle travel so as to render the auto-second drive operable during or at the end of a predetermined travel of the vehicle.

Thus the synchronizer M8 (or N5 of Fig. 11) is engaged and takes up the drive of the vehicle without noticeable torque drop, so that the torque control or "hold-out means of the high speed clutch it retains its efiective control of the high speed clutch. Acceleration of the vehicle is, therefore, continued in auto-second drive until the torque acting through the torque control of the high speed clutch is reduced to a level appropriate to the assumption of the drive in high. At low engine speeds such transfer of the drive is attainable only by substantially a full reaction or release of the accelerator, while at increased engine speeds the torque may reduce sufficiently to cause a shift without reaction. Such enforced shifting takes place in any event when excessive speeds are attained in auto-second, such shifting being caused by the action of the weights Ed. in disabling the torque responsive hold-out means of the high speed clutch.

Immediately upon assumption of the drive in high, the actuating nut of the synchronizer is withdrawn rapidly to its inactive position of Fig. 2 so as to condition the auto-second drive for another vehicle starting operation.

When the vehicle is to be stopped, the accelerator is released, and the resulting increase in vacuum releases the clutches It and Ii if, or as soon as, the vehicle speed is less than 18 miles per hour,'the brake being applied in the usual manner to complete the stop. The automatic starting operation may then be repeated as above described.

' In its automatic operation the present device is more or less keyed to the normal driving reactions of present day drivers whose desire for maintenance, reduction or increase of speed or power is normally expressed and measured by the vary the periods of functioning of the auto-low- A combination, driving and driven shafts, low and high 'speed clutches driven from said drive shaft and adapted to be closed in succession,-said clutches having low speed and high speed transmission elements respectively constituting the power output elements of said clutches, a counter-shaft geared to the output element of said low speed clutch for rotation thereby at a reduced speed, a manually operable gear-shift member, selective gearing means operatively connected to said counter-shaft and said driven shaft and including shiftable selecting means operable by said gear-shift member to establish selectively between said counter-shaft and said driven shaft a reverse driving connection, a non-over-running low speed forward driving connection, a non-overrunning intermediate speed forward driving connection, or to establish simultaneously a nonning low speed forward driving connection between said counter-shaft and said driven shaft, a second counter-shaft, reduction gearing driving said second counter-shaft from said low speed transmission member, a second shaft 'having a geared connection with said high speed transmission member, a synchronizer clutch for connecting said second counter-shaft with said second shaft in driving relation, and a screw and nut device operatively associated with said synchronizer clutch and operable by relative rotation of said second shaft and said second countershaft during operation of said driven shaft through said low speed over-running drive to engage said synchronizer clutch to drive said driven shaft from said second counter-shaft.

2'. A transmission of the character described comprising, in combination, driving and driven sive control means operatively connected between.

said driving member and said clutches and. operable automatically during high torque conditions to oppose the action of such clutch closing means to prevent closure of said high speed clutch during such high torque conditions, a gear shift lever movable between neutral, a reverse position,

and low, intermediate and high positions, gearing mechanism including a low ratio gear connection between said driven shaft and said low speed clutch whereby said driven shaft may be driven at a reduced speed by said low speed clutch, said connection including an over-running clutch, and a dis-engag'eable dog clutch, said dog clutch having shifting means operable by said shift lever when moved to, its high position to engage said dog clutch, said gearing mechanism also including means operable by said shift lever to establish, se1ectively,in the different positions of said lever, a reverse driving connection between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft, a low speed forward driving connection between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft independently of said over-running clutch, a non-overhigh position, a high ratio driving connection between said high speed .clutch and said driven a shaft, said dog clutch being engaged while said last mentioned high speed ratio connection is established, whereby to provide a low speed overrunning low ratio forward drive to said driven shaft from said low speed clutch and a high speed drive to said driven shaft from said high speed clutch, and gearing means providing a second speed automatic drive from said low speed clutch to said driven shaft comprising a reduction gear connection including a synchronizer clutch between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft, and means invariably operable by the gearing means during a predetermined number of rotations of said driven shaft through said over-running low speed drive to engage said synchronizer clutch and render said second speed automatic gear connection effective to operate said driven shaft from said-low speed clutch.

3. An automatic transmission of the character described comprising, in combination, driving and driven members, low and high speed clutches driven from said driving member adapted for successive connection with the driving member, means for opening and closing said clutches, torque responsive control means operatively connected between said driving member and said clutches andloperable automatically during high torque conditions to oppose the action of such clutch closing means to prevent closure of said high speed clutch during such high torque conditions, gearing mechanism including a low ratio gear connection between said driven shaft and running clutch and a first dis-engageable dog clutch, dog clutch means operable when said first dog clutch is engaged, a high speed drive from I said high speed clutch, and means providing a second" speed automaticv drive comprising a reduction gear connection,,between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft and including a friction clutch, and means operatively connected to said over-running low speeddrive connection'and operable as an incident to the transmission of drive through said over-running low speed drive connection to engage said friction clutch and render said second" speed automatic gear connection effective to operate said driven shaft from said low speed clutch.

4. An automatic transmission comprising, in combination, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, transmission means providing alternatively operable low speed, intermediate speed and high speed power transmission paths between said shafts, a low speed clutch forming part of said low speed and intermediate speed transmission paths, and a high speed clutch forming part of said high speed transmission path, means operable automatically' in response to a running function of an engine to close the low speed clutch to render said transmission means effective through said low speed transmission path, means connected to and operable by the means forming said low speed clutch to render said transmission means effective through said intermediate ratio transmission path after a predetermined number of revolutions of said driven shaft through said low speed transmission path, and means operable automatically in response to a running function of the engine to close said high speed clutch to render .said transmission means elective through its high speed transmission path.

, ratio gearing connected to transmit drive tosaid driven shaft immediately upon engagement of said low speed clutch, anda normally ineffective intermediate ratio gearing between said iowspeed clutch and said driven shaft, and means operable after a predetermined maximum number of revolutions of said driven shaft by said low ratio gearing to render said intermediate ratio gearing effective to drive said driven-shaft.

6. An automatictransmission comprising, in combination, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, transmission means providing alternatively operable low speed, intermediate speed and high speed power transmission paths between said shafts, means operable automatically in response to a running function of an engine to render said transmission means eifective through said low speed transmission path, means operable automatically after a predetermined number of revolutions of said driven shaft through said low speed transmission path to render said transnrlssion means effective through said intermediate ratio transmission path, and means operable automatically in response to a running function of the engine to render said transmission means effective through its high speed transmission path.

7. In an automatic transmission, the combination of driving and driven shafts, a low speed clutch and a high speed clutch both adapted to be driven from said driving shaft and arranged for closure in succession, a low ratio reduction connection between said low, speed clutch and said driven shaft including an overrunning device,

' an intermediate ratio reduction connection between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft including a synchronizer clutch, means providing a high speed drive connection between said high speed clutch and said driven shaft, and means actuated in timed relation to the rotation of said driven shaft operable to close said synchronizer clutch when said driven shaft is actuated "by said low speed connection, to maintain said synchronizer clutch closed while said driven shaft is actuated by said intermediate connection and to open said synchronizer clutch when said driven shaft is actuated by said high speed connection.

8. In a transmission, the combination of driving and driven shafts, a first low ratio geared connection between said shafts, including an overrunning device, a second higher ratio geared connection between said shafts including a synchronizer clutch, and a control device for governing the engagement of said synchronizer clutch operable in timed relation to the rotation of said driven shaft to close said clutch after a predetermined number of revolutions of said driven shaft by said first connection, said control device including torque responsive means subjected to the torque in said second connection when said synchronizer clutch is closed and operable while said torque persists to maintain said clutch closed. 9. A transmission as defined in claim 8, having means providing a third driving connection between said shafts of a higher ratio than said second connection and including a high speed clutch driven from said driving shaft, and wherein said torque responsive means is associated with said high speed clutch to prevent closure thereof during high torque conditions in said second connection.

10. In an automotive vehicle, the combination of an automatic transmission having driving and driven shafts, a low speed clutch and a high speed clutch adapted to be driven from said driving shaft and arranged for closure in succession, a low ratio reduction connection between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft including an overrunning device, an intermediate ratio reduction connection between said low speed clutch and said driven shaft including a friction clutch, means providing a high speed drive connection between said high speed clutch and said driven shaft, and control means operable after a predetermined travel of said vehicle while driven by said low ratio overrunning connection to close said friction clutch and render said intermediate ratio connection effective to drive the vehicle,

said control means being operable to maintain said friction clutch closed while saiddriven shaft "is actuated by said intermediate connection and to open said friction clutch when said driven shaft is actuated by said high speed connection,

and torque responsive means operable to resist and control closure of'said high speed clutch.

. 11. An automatic transmission comprising, in combination, driven and driving shafts, low and high speed clutches driven from said driving shaft and adapted to beclosed in succession, said clutches having low speed and high speed transmission elements respectively constituting the power output elements of said clutches, a counter- 'said counter-shaft and said driven shaft a reverse driving connection, a non-over-running low speed forward driving connection, a non-overrunning intermediate speed forward driving connection, or to establish simultaneously a nonover-running high speed forward driving connection between said high speed transmission ,member and said driven shaft and an over-ruinning low speed forward driving connection between said counter-shaft and said driven shaft, a second shaft and a third shaft concentrically related, one of which is tubular and has the other extending therethrough, reduction gearing driving said second shaft from said low speed transmission member, a geared connection between said third shaft and said high speed transmission member proportioned relative to the reduction gearing to said second shaft to cause relative rotation of said second and third shafts in one direction when said driven shaft is actuated by said over-running low speed forward driving connection, a synchronizer clutch for connecting said second and third shafts in driving relation, a screw on one of said concentric shafts, a nut engaging said screw and frictionally engaging the other of said concentric shafts, said nut being operable by said relative rotation of said second and third shafts in said one directionduring operation of said driven shaft through said low speed over-running drive to move said nut longitudinally of said concentric shafts to engage said friction clutch so as to drive said driven shaft from said third shaft.

13. An automatic transmission as defined in claim ll wherein said gearing'connections are so proportioned that when said high speed clutch is closed said second and third shafts arerotated in the opposite relative direction at a substantially higher rate than the rate of relative rotation in said one direction. I

14. An automatic transmission, the combination of driving and driven shafts, an over-running low speed drive connection between said,

shafts, a non-over-running high speed drive connection between said shafts including a clutch,

a normally ineffective intermediate speed drive connection between said shafts including a syn chronizer operable when closed to render said intermediate speed drive effective, and a screw and nut device operatively connected to said low speed drive connection and to said synchronizer and operable bysaid low speed drive connection to engage said synchronizer and by said high speed drive connection to release said synchronizer, one of the elements of said screw and nut device constituting the power output member in said intermediate drive connection from said synchronizer, and a rotative lost-motion connection between said element and said synchronizer.

15. An automatic-transmission of the charac-' ter described comprising, in combination, driving and driven shafts, transmission means providing alternatively operable low speed, intermediate speed and high speed power transmission paths between'said shafts, a low speed clutch forming part of said low speed and intermediate speed transmission paths, and a. high speed clutch forming part of said high speed transmission path, means operable automatically in response to a running function of an engine to close said low speed clutch to render said transmission means effective througfisaid low speed transmission path, means operable by the transmission- 16. In a transmission for automotive vehicles,

the combination of driving and driven shafts, low and high speed clutches driven from said driving. shaft and adapted for closure in succession, transmission means forming a low ratio driven from said low speed clutch to said driven shaft, transmission means forming a normally ineffective intermediate ratio drive from said low speed clutch to said driven shaft and including a friction clutch, means forming a higher ratio drive from said high speed-clutch to said driven shaft, torque responsive control means subjected to the torque in said low and intermediate drives and operable in response to such 'torque to con trol engagementof said high speed clutch, and control means connected to and actuated by said low speed drive for closing said friction clutch, said control means being operable after a predetermined maximum travel of'the vehicle by said low speed drive to apply a gradually ihcreasing yielding clutch-closing force to said friction clutch.

1'7. An automotive transmission'as defined in claim 16 in which said control means acts to follow said increasing yielding force with the application of a positive clutch closing force to said friction clutch. a

18. An automatic transmission'comprlsing, in combination, driving and driven shafts, low and high speed clutches adapted to be closed in succession, said clutches having low speed and high speed transmission elements respectively constituting the power output elements of said clutches, a counter-shaft geared to the output element of said low speed clutch for rotation thereby at a reduced speed, a manually operable gear-shift member, selective gearing means connectible between said counter-shaft and said driven shaft including shiftable selecting means operable by said gear-shift member to establish selectively between said counter-shaft and said driven shaft 2. reverse driving connection, a non-over-running intermediate speed forward driving connection, or to establish simultaneously a nonover-running high speed forward driving connection between said high speed transmission member and said driven shaft and an over-running low speed forward driving connection between said counter-shaft and said driven shaft, a second shaft concentric with said counter-shaft and having a geared auto-'second drive connection with said high speed transmission element of a higher ratio than said low speed overrunning drive, a synchronizer clutch for connecting said counter-shaft with said second shaft in driving relation, and a screw and nut device operable by relative rotation of said second shaft and said counter-shaft during operation of said driven shaft through said low speed over-running drive to engage said synchronizer clutch to drive said driven shaft through said higher ratio "auto-second drive from said second shaft.

19. An automatic transmission comprising, in combination, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, transmission means providing an over-running low speed drive, an intermediate speed drive including a synchronizer, and high speed drive alternatively operable'between said shafts, a low speed clutch forming part of said low speed and intermediate speed transmission paths, and a high speed clutch forming part of said high speed transmission path, means operable automatically in response to a running function of an engine to close low speed clutch to render said transmission means effective through said lowspeed transmission path, control means for said intermediate drive operatively connected to said synchronizer and to said low speed transmission path and operable by said low speedtransmission path after closure of said low speed clutch to close said synchronizer and render said transmission means eifective through said intermediate ratio transmission path after a'predetermined maximum number of revolutions of said driven shaft through said lowspeed transmission path, said control means comprising a pair of screw and nut devices, one operable rapidly to condition said synchronizer for closure, and the other operable to apply thereafter a gradually increasing yielding closing force to said synchronizer, and means operable automatically in response to a running function of the engine to close said high speed clutch to render said transmission means effective through itsjhighspeed transmission path,

20. A transmission having a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and transmission means providing a high speed drive and an over-running low speed drive between said shafts, the combination of an intermediate ratio drive between said shafts ineluding gearing and a synchronizer for rendering said intermediate drive effective, said synchronizer having a conditioning screw and nut device of a relatively high pitch and connected frictionally tonsaiddriven shaft to rapidly condition said synchronizer for closure when said driven shaft is actuated through said low speed drive, and a synchronizing screw and nut device of a relatively low pitch and having a positive actuating connection engaged by saidconditioning nut and operable to close said synchronizer gradually.

21. A transmission as defined in claim 20 wherein saidconditioning device and said synchroni-zing device are located at opposite ends of said synchronizer. V

22. A transmission as defined in claim 20 hav-' ing abutment means limiting the conditioning movement of said synchronizing screw and nut device.

23. A transmission as defined in claim 20 having abutment means limiting the conditioning movement of said synchronizingscrew and nut device, and wherein said synchronizing'screw and ing spring means acting compressed by said synchronizing screw and nut device and operable thereby to apply a gradually increasing yielding a first torque responsive means forming the driving connection between said driving member and the .driving element of said clutch, said torque responsive means being operableby high torque to oppose closure of said high speed clutch, a high ratio drive transmitting connection from the driven element of said high speed clutch to said driven shaft, a-second torque responsive means forming the driving connection between said driving member of said high speed clutch to the driving member oi said low speed clutch, said second torque means being operable by high torque therein to oppose closure of said .low speed clutch, and a low ratio drive connection from the driven element of said low speed clutch to said driven shaft, said first torquemeans being located at a relatively short distance from the axis of said shaits and said second torque means being located at a substantially greater distance from said axis.

26. A power transmission as defined in claim 25 wherein said first torque responsive means constitutes a supporting and centering means for a portion of said high speed clutch and a portion of said low speed clutch.

SIMEON BUDLONG. 

